®
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Table of Contents Welcome to Vantage Vue ................................................................................................1 Console Features: Keyboard & Display ..................................................................... 1 In This Manual ........................................................................................................... 2 Vantage Vue System Installation Steps ...................................................................... 2 Installing the Console .....
Dew Point ................................................................................................................. 22 Heat Index ................................................................................................................ 23 Rain .......................................................................................................................... 23 Evapotranspiration (ET) (Optional) .........................................................................
Chapter 1 Welcome to Vantage Vue The console of your new Vantage Vue wireless weather station displays and records your station’s weather data, provides graph and alarm functions, and interfaces to a computer using our optional WeatherLink® software. Your Vantage Vue station also includes an outdoor Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) that transmits outside sensor data to the console via a low-power radio. The console displays all the information coming from the ISS in an easy-to-use format.
Console Features: Keyboard & Display In Current Weather Mode, the display shows the time and date, the likely forecast within the next 12 hours, current moon phase, and weather information for up to 8 different weather variables at a time. It also displays additional information pertinent to a selected variable in the Weather Center in the bottom right section of the console screen.
Chapter 2 Installing the Console The Vantage Vue console is designed to give extremely accurate readings. As with any precision instrument, use care in its assembly and handling. Although installing the console is relatively simple, following the steps outlined in this chapter and assembling the Vantage Vue correctly from the start will help ensure that you enjoy all of its features with a minimum of time and effort. Powering the Console The Vantage Vue console does not require the use of an AC adapter.
Console Location Installing the AC Power Adapter (Optional) 1. Find the power jack located on the left side of the console case. 2. Insert the power adapter plug into the console power jack, then plug the other end of the adapter into an appropriate power outlet. 3. Check to make sure the console runs through a brief self-test procedure successfully. See “Installing Batteries” on page 3 for information on the self-test procedure.
Console Location Table & Shelf Placement The console comes with a kickstand so that the console can be displayed on any flat surface. To install the kickstand: 1. Locate the two keyholes on the back of the console. 2. Place the two round tabs on the kickstand into the two keyholes and slide the kickstand up into place. 3. Install the two round rubber feet on the bottom of the console. Securing the kickstand 4. Install the two rubber channel feet on the kickstand.
Chapter 3 Using Your Weather Station The console LCD screen and keyboard provide easy access to your weather information. The LCD display shows current and past weather conditions as well as a forecast of future conditions. The keyboard controls console functions for viewing current and historical weather information, setting and clearing alarms, viewing and/or changing station settings, setting up and viewing graphs, and more.
Setup Mode • • • • Press the < and > keys to move to the different segments and options in the Setup Mode screens. Press the + and - keys to scroll through the different options available. Press 2ND and UNITS to change units of measure when applicable. Exit Setup Mode by pressing and holding DONE until the Current Weather screen displays. See “Current Weather Mode” on page 15 for more information.
Setup Mode 1. Press the + and - keys to cycle through time zones. 2. If your time zone is not shown, press 2ND then press the + and - keys to set your UTC offset (UTC offset uses 15 minute increments). 3. Press DONE to select the time zone or UTC offset shown on the screen and move to the next screen. Screen 3: Daylight Saving Settings In most of the United States and Canada (except Saskatchewan, Arizona, and Hawaii) and Europe you should use the AUTO Daylight Saving setting.
Setup Mode Note: A Vantage Vue or Vantage Pro2 ISS or a Vantage Pro2 Anemometer Transmitter Kit must be powered for the console to recognize it. Refer to the Integrated Sensor Suite Installation Manual or other station manual for more information. It may take several minutes for the console to acquire and display a transmitter ID after power is applied to both units. 1. Make a note of the station number(s) listed on the screen. 2. Press DONE to move to the next screen.
Setup Mode Screen 7: Retransmit The console can take data it receives from all three station types and retransmit it to other Vantage Vue or Vantage Pro2 consoles using the retransmit feature. By toggling the feature on, the console becomes another transmitter that requires its own unique ID to transmit the data received from the ISS. 1. Press the + or - key to turn the retransmit function on and off.
Setup Mode 1. Press the < and > keys to move between fields. 2. Press the + and - keys to change the settings up or down. 3. To select EAST or WEST, press 2ND, then UNITS. 4. Press DONE to move to the next screen. Screen 10: Elevation Your station’s elevation is used in determining your barometric pressure. Meteorologists standardize barometric pressure data to sea level so that surface readings are comparable, whether they are taken on a mountainside or by the ocean.
Setup Mode To change the barometric reduction setting: 1. Press + or - to change the barometer reduction setting type: • NOAA (Default Setting) — The barometer is reduced to sea level using a technique that factors in the humidity and temperature of the column of air. • ALT SETTING (Altimeter Setting) — The barometer is reduced to sea level using a “standard” column of air, often referred to as a “standard atmosphere.” • NONE — Reports a raw barometric pressure reading unadjusted for elevation/altitude. 2.
Setup Mode Screen 14: Rain Season Because rainy seasons begin and end at different times in different parts of the world, you must specify the month you wish your yearly rain data to begin. January 1st is the default setting. The date the rain season begins affects yearly rain rate highs and lows as well as the yearly rain totals. 1. Press the + and - keys to select the month for the start of the rainy season. 2. Press DONE to move to the next screen.
Setup Mode To set your cooling degree day base: 1. Press 2ND and SET. The value of 65° appears. Use the < and > keys to select a segment of the value. 2. Press the + and - keys to adjust the value of the selected segment. 3. Press 2ND and UNITS to change the temperature setting between Fahrenheit and Celsius. 4. Press DONE to move to the next screen. The Heating Degree Day Base displays: To set your heating degree day base, follow steps 1 through 4 above.
Current Weather Mode 1. Press the + and - keys to select the baud rate. Your Vantage Vue console supports baud rates of 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 14400, and 19200. 2. Press DONE to save the baud rate settings. Exiting Setup Mode You have successfully completed all the screens in the Setup Mode. To exit Setup Mode, press and hold DONE for several seconds until the Current Weather screen appears.
Displaying Weather Variables Current Weather Mode Commands Select a weather variable to display its data on the screen if it isn’t already visible, or to graph the data available for that variable. Weather variables are selected via the console command keys: • If the variable is printed on a key, press the key to select the variable. • • WIND HUM TEMP BAR RAIN The same field can display multiple values for each variable.
Displaying Weather Variables Time and Date, Sunrise and Sunset Time, Moon Phase, Forecast Icons The time and date display in the upper left hand corner of the console screen, above the wind compass rose. • Press TIME to display the sunrise and sunset time for the current day. Press TIME TIME again to redisplay the time and date. The phase of the moon is described in the Weather Center section of the console when the sunrise and sunset times are displayed.
Displaying Weather Variables A solid arrow within the compass rose indicates the current wind direction. Open arrows indicate up to six different 10-minute dominant wind directions to provide a history of the dominant wind directions for the past hour. 2. Press WIND a second time to display the wind direction in degrees instead of the wind speed. Each additional WIND key press toggles the display between 360˚ N wind speed and wind direction in degrees.
Displaying Weather Variables changed for inside or outside temperature, the unit of measure also changes for all temperature-related weather variables, such as wind chill, dew point and heat index. Note: The unit of measure also affects the cooling degree day and heating degree day bases and the value entered in both screens is automatically converted to the unit of measure selected.
Displaying Weather Variables Humidity Inside and outside humidity are displayed in the top right portion on the console screen, below the temperature variables. The inside humidity is located below the word INSIDE and the outside humidity is located below the word OUTSIDE. am C C N INSIDE NW OUTSIDE NE W E mb CHILL MPH SW WIND RAIN RATE C SE in/hr S Inside and outside humidity with information displayed in the Weather Center 1. Press HUM to select outside humidity.
Displaying Weather Variables 1. Press BAR to select barometric pressure. Barometric pressure may be displayed in inches (in), millimeters (mm), millibars (mb) or hectoPascals BAR (hPa). See “Selecting Units of Measure” on page 26 for more information on changing the unit measure. 2. Press WxCEN to display the information available for the barometric pressure trend in the Weather Center. 3.
Displaying Weather Variables Pressure Trend The pressure trend arrow indicates the current barometric trend, measured over the last three hours. The pressure trend is updated every 15 minutes. The pressure trend requires three hours of data in order to be calculated so it won’t display right away on a new station. The pressure trend is indicated on the console screen, as long as the required data is available.
Displaying Weather Variables DEW 1. Press 2ND then press DEW to select dew point. Dew point is displayed in either Fahrenheit (°F) or Celsius (°C) in whole degrees. 2ND HUM See “Selecting Units of Measure” on page 26 for more information on changing the unit of measure. If the unit of measure for any temperature-related weather variable is changed, the unit of measure also changes for all temperature-related variables. See “Inside and Outside Temperature” on page 18 for more information. 2.
Displaying Weather Variables The rain values include RAIN RATE, RAIN DAY (current day’s rain total), RAIN MO (monthly rain total), and RAIN YEAR (yearly rain total). HEAT MPH SW WIND SE S RAIN DAY F in Daily Rain Total with information displayed in the Weather Center 1. Press RAIN to display the current rain rate. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 24 RAIN Rain rate will display a number other than zero and the umbrella icon appears when two tips of the rain spoon have occurred within a 15-minute period.
Displaying Weather Variables Evapotranspiration (ET) (Optional) All the evapotranspiration values share the same section on the console as rain values, below the barometric pressure variable, on the right side.
Selecting Units of Measure Light Press LIGHT to turn on the backlight for the screen display. Press LIGHT again to turn the backlight off. Use the backlight when the LCD is not clearly visible. When the console is battery operated, the backlight remains on as long as keys are pressed. If no keys are being used, the backlight automatically turns off about fifteen seconds after it is turned on. If any key is pressed while it is turned on, it will stay illuminated for 60 seconds from the last key press.
Calibrating, Setting, and Clearing Variables Calibrating, Setting, and Clearing Variables Your Vantage Vue weather station is factory-calibrated and tested to be highly accurate. You should not need to calibrate it. However, to fine-tune your station, you can calibrate most of the weather variables. For example, if your outside temperature seems consistently too high or too low, you can enter an offset to correct the deviation.
Calibrating, Setting, and Clearing Variables Calibrating Barometric Pressure Before calibrating the barometric pressure, be sure the station is set to the correct elevation. See “Screen 10: Elevation” on page 11 for more information. Find the nearest source of barometric pressure, such as a local airport, to get a current barometric pressure. 1. Press BAR to select barometric pressure. 2. Press and release 2ND, then press and hold SET. The barometric pressure variable blinks. 3.
Calibrating, Setting, and Clearing Variables • Monthly ET— Sets the current month’s ET. Does not affect yearly total. • Yearly ET — Sets the current year’s total ET. To set a weather variable’s value: 1. Select the variable you wish to change (either RAIN or ET). 2. Press and release 2ND, then press and hold SET. The variable blinks. 3. Keep holding SET until all digits are lit and stop flashing. Release SET; only one digit is now blinking. 4. Press the < or > keys to select digits in the value. 5.
Highs and Lows Mode Highs and Lows Mode The Vantage Vue records highs and lows for many weather conditions over three different periods: days, months, and years. Except for yearly rainfall, all high and low registers are cleared automatically at the end of each period. For example, daily highs are cleared at midnight, monthly highs are cleared at month–end midnight, yearly highs are cleared at year–end midnight. You may enter the month that you would like the yearly rainfall accumulation to clear.
Alarm Mode 2. Press the + and - keys to scroll through Day Highs, Day Lows, Month Highs, Month Lows, Year Highs and Year Lows. The information provided in the Weather Center displays the day of the week, month or year being viewed as well as indicates if the screen currently being viewed is displaying highs or lows. The reading’s time and date, where applicable, appear in the time and date fields. 3.
Alarm Mode Vantage Vue Alarms Variable Alarms Barometric Pressure Trend Storm Warning - uses trend value rising rate Storm Clearing - uses trend value falling rate Evapotranspiration* ET Alarm - uses total ET for the day Humidity, Inside High and Low Humidity, Outside High and Low Dew Point High and Low Rain Flash Flood Alarm - uses current 15 minute rainfall total 24 Hour Rain Alarm - uses current 24 hour rainfall total Storm Storm Alarm - uses current storm rainfall total Rain Rate High
Graph Mode 2. Press the < and > keys to select one of the variables displayed on the screen or use the console keys to select any weather variable. Also, press HI/LOW to display then toggle between the high and low alarm threshold settings. 3. Press 2ND then press SET to activate the currently selected weather variable. 4. Press the < and > keys to select digits in the threshold value. 5. Press the + and - keys to change the digit’s value up and down. 6. Press DONE to finish changing the alarm setting. 7.
Graph Mode Viewing Graphs Although the graphs available may vary for each weather variable, all are displayed in the same way. am N NW NE W E MPH SW WIND SE S GRAPH Graph Mode for the wind variable 1. Select a variable to graph. 2. Press GRAPH to enter Graph Mode. Only the time, date, graph, graph icon, selected variable and information pertaining to the GRAPH selected variable are visible. The rest of the screen is blank.
Graph Mode View graphs of all other variables the same way. 1. Select the variable you want to view. 2. Press GRAPH. 3. Use the < and > keys to select different values. 4. Press the + key to shorten the time range. 5. Press the - key to lengthen the time range. 6. Press HI/LOW to shift between highs and lows. 7. Press DONE to exit.
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting and Maintenance Vantage Vue Troubleshooting Guide While your Vantage Vue weather station is designed to provide years of trouble-free operation, occasional problems may arise. If you are having a problem with your station, please consult this troubleshooting guide before calling Davis technical support. You may be able to quickly solve the problem yourself. Please see “Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 52.
Vantage Vue Troubleshooting Guide Solution Outside temperature reading seems too high Check calibration number and adjust if necessary. The ISS may need to be relocated away from radiant heat sources. See the ISS Installation Manual. Inside temperature sensor reading seems too high Turn off console backlight. Move the console out of direct sunlight. Make sure the console or sensor is not in contact with an exterior wall that heats up in sunlight or when outside temperature rises.
Console Diagnostic Mode Check Console Reception Enter Setup Mode by pressing and releasing 2ND and pressing SETUP. Keep pressing DONE until the “Receiving From...”screen displays. (See “Screen 5: Active Transmitters” on page 8 for more information.) Wait a few minutes while the console lists all the stations transmitting within range. If the console does not detect your transmitter, check the following: • Adjust the console antenna so that it is vertical and in line-of-sight the Vantage Vue ISS antenna.
Console Diagnostic Mode Screen 1: Statistical Diagnostic Screen The Statistical Diagnostic Screen displays information about how well data is being received from the weather station to the console. The information that is displayed in this screen includes: 5 4 1 am 6 2 7 3 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 15 Note: 14 Several of these values, with a *, are used by Davis engineers. 1. Time of day or number of times the anemometer reed switch was seen closed*.
Console Diagnostic Mode 13. Repeater ID currently communicating with the console. If a repeater or group of repeaters is used to relay station information to the console, the repeater ID displayed is the repeater that the console is set to receive. If the console is not listening to repeaters, this section remains blank. 14. Total number of good packets received. 15. Longest streak of consecutive good packets.
Console Maintenance Console Maintenance Changing Batteries If the message, LOW CONSOLE BATTERIES appears in the Weather Center, replace the batteries. 1. In order to avoid losing any stored weather data, plug in the AC adapter before removing the batteries. Note: If you cannot plug in the AC adapter, enter Setup Mode by pressing and releasing 2ND and pressing SETUP. Entering Setup Mode makes sure the station isn’t writing any data to memory when power is removed. 2.
Appendix A Weather Data Refer to this appendix to learn more about the weather variables that are measured, displayed, and logged by your Vantage Vue station. The following variables are arranged below in the order they are viewed on the console screen: left to right, top to bottom, starting with time. Time A built-in clock and calendar track the time and date.
Forecast Forecast The forecast icons show what weather conditions may occur within the next 12 hours. The console generates a weather forecast based on the barometric reading and trend; wind speed and direction; rainfall; temperature; humidity; latitude and longitude; and time of year. The forecast is updated once an hour, on the hour and requires three hours of data. Predictions are made for cloud cover and the likelihood of precipitation.
Temperature Beaufort Scale The Beaufort Scale is an empirical measure for describing wind speed which ranks wind speeds in classes. The Beaufort Scale classification for the current wind condition is listed in the Weather Center when WIND is pressed and WxCEN is pressed several times. See “Wind Speed and Direction” on page 17 for more information. Wind Speed Beaufort Number Description 0 -1 mph; (0 -1.6 kph) 0 Calm 1-3 mph; (1.6 - 4.8 kph) 1 Light Air Light Breeze 3 - 7 mph; (4.8 - 11.
Wind Chill Wind Chill Wind chill takes into account how the speed of the wind affects our perception of the air temperature. Our bodies warm the surrounding air molecules by transferring heat from the skin. If there is no air movement, this insulating layer of warm air molecules stays next to the body and offers some protection from cooler air molecules. However, wind sweeps away that warm air surrounding the body. The faster the wind blows, the faster heat is carried away and the colder you feel.
Barometric Pressure Barometric Pressure The weight of the air that makes up our atmosphere exerts a pressure on the surface of the earth known as atmospheric pressure. Generally, the more air above an area, the higher the atmospheric pressure. This means that atmospheric pressure changes with altitude. For example, atmospheric pressure is greater at sea level than on a mountaintop.
Appendix B Specifications See complete specifications for your Vantage Vue Station at our website: www.davisnet.com. Console Specifications Console Operating Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . +32° to +140°F (0° to +60°C) Non-Operating (Storage) Temperature . . . . . . . +14° to +158°F (-10° to +70°C) Console Current Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 mA average, 30 mA peak, (add 120 mA for display lamps, add 0.125 mA for each transmitter station received by console) at 4.4 VDC Power Adapter .
Console Data Display Specifications Console Data Display Specifications Historical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Includes the past 25 values plus the current value unless otherwise noted; all can be cleared and all totals reset. Daily Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Includes the earliest time of occurrence of highs and lows; period begins/ends at 12:00 am. Monthly Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weather Data Specifications Weather Data Specifications Note: The following weather data specifications are listed as they are displayed on the console. Weather Data Specifications Variable Resolution Range Nominal Accuracy (+/-) 3 Wind Direction 1 0 to 360 Compass Rose 22.5 16 compass pts. 1 mph; 1 kt; 0.5 m/s; 1 km/h 2 to 180 mph; 2 to 156 kts 3 to 290 km/h, 1 to 80 m/s Greater of 2 mph/kts; 1 m/s; 3 km/h or 5% Inside Temperature 0.1F; 0.1C +32 to +140F; 0 to +60C 1F; 0.
Weather Data Specifications Weather Data Specifications Resolution Range Nominal Accuracy (+/-) Rainfall 0.01''; 0.2 mm (1mm at totals over 2000 mm) to 199.99''; 6553 mm Greater of 4% or 1 tip Rain Rate 0.01”; 0.1 mm to 40''/hr.; 1016 mm/hr. 5% when rate is under 5”/hr.; 127 mm/hr. 0.01''; 0.2 mm Daily to 32.67”; 999.9 mm Monthly & Yearly to 199.99”; 1999.9mm greater of 5% or 0.01''; 0.
Appendix C Wireless Repeater Configuration Vantage Pro2 Wireless Repeaters (#7626, #7627) or Long-Range Wireless Repeaters (#7653, #7654) can be added to increase transmission distances or improve transmission quality between a station and a console. A repeater receives information transmitted from a Vantage Vue or Vantage Pro2 station and retransmits it to a console. Depending on transmission distance, one repeater or several repeaters can be used to collect and retransmit weather data.
Vantage Vue Console Icons Console icons indicate weather conditions and special functions. Forecast Mostly Clear Partly Cloudy Mostly Cloudy Rain Snow Forecast icons show what weather conditions may occur for the next 12 hours. Moon Phase New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous Last Quarter Waning Crescent New Moon Shows the current moon phase. Sequence shown for Northern Hemisphere. The sequence of the icons is reversed in the Southern Hemisphere.
